REGULAR RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE MAY IMPROVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE

A new study shows that for women over the age of 50, attending religious services regularly can mean a more optimistic, less depressed, and less cynical outlook on life.

The study is derived from data obtained by the Women's Health Initiative observational study - a survey of 92,539 post-menopausal women over 50. The participants made up an ethnically, religiously and socioeconomically diverse group.

According to the new study, those who attend services frequently were 56 percent more likely to have an optimistic life outlook than those who don't and were 27 percent less likely to be depressed.

Those who attended weekly were less likely to be characterized by cynical hostility, compared with those who did not report any religious service attendance.

Researchers studied the emotional and information support women receive from interacting with religious colleagues and officials.

Areas evaluated included assessment of social support provided when an individual visits with a priest or a rabbi to speak about difficulties. Tangible support, received when, for example someone from the congregation drives a participant to a doctor; affectionate support; and positive interaction.

HEALTHY HOLIDAYS: SENIORS NEED TO STAY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED

Aging adults need to stay active in order to enjoy good health during this year's holiday season. While nonagenarians, a person shose age is in the nineties, may not be able to go "dashing through the snow" as fast as they did in their youth, they can make an effort to see friends, do volunteer work, play a rousing game of Scrabble or even knit holiday sweaters for their nieces and nephews. Extra servings of pumpkin pie, however, are best avoided. Each of those actions during the festive season can lead to a better quality of life for seniors. Here is an illustration of how the five aspects of healthy aging(healthy nutrition, physical and mental stimulation and a sense of calmness and purpose) can be woven into holiday celebrations:

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Taking a walk after a hearty holiday meal is a good idea for those of any age, but it is particularly beneficial to seniors. Even aging adults who are less ambulatory can take part in some form of exercise, whether it is lifting their feet repeatedly while seated in a sturdy chair, or raising their arms skyward several times in a row.

HEALTHY DIET: Comfort foods drawn from family or ethnic traditions are especially enjoyed by seniors during the holidays. However, the recipes for these dishes should be adapted to the palates and dietary needs of aging adults. Also limit the intake of sweets and desserts that accompany celebrations - except perhaps for antioxidant rich dark chocolate.

SHARP MINDS: While dementia and short-term memory loss are common among seniors, mentally-stimulating activities can help them delay, or possibly even prevent, the onset of these conditions. Designing holiday festivities around skill-based games, such as Scrabble, checkers, backgammon or Boggle, not only makes the event fun for party-goers, but these activities can also help seniors maintain cognitive function.

SOCIAL TIES: Though the holiday season can bring back memories of lost loved ones, this time of year also offers numerous opportunities for seniors to engage with other people, whether through social gatherings, phone calls, e-mail or greeting cards. Research shows that social ties keep people healthy by providing emotional support; limiting stress levels; and helping seniors maintain an irreplaceable level of independence.

CALMNESS AND PURPOSE: For some seniors, participating in a religious service helps them maintain a calm center and focus on their life purpose; while others may prefer practices such as yoga or meditation. The holidays also offer ample opportunities for older adults to fulfill a purpose by volunteering at local organizations and nonprofits. Sharing personal stories or reading special holiday stories to younger family members and friends can also help seniors maintain a sense of connectivity to those around them.

source: www.pr.com

HEALTHY TIPS FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS

More Americans fly during the Thanksgiving-Christmas-Hanukkah-New Year's holidays than at any other time of year. And as anyone who has spent time in airports or airplanes during the holidays knows, flying at this time can be emotionally stressful. It can also take a toll physically. With a little common sense and planning, flying can be a much healthier experience - during the holidays, or at any time of year. Here are some tips about staying healthy while traveling:

1. You should eat something on a long trip, but don't eat too much, because you'll be sitting in your seat for an extended period of time.

2. Stick with east-to-eat-digest carbohydrates(breads, pretzels, crackers) and skip the heavier food(meat, cheeses).

3. Air in the cabin is typically dry, and if you aren't careful you can become dehydrated.

4. You need to drink something, but go easy on the alcohol or skip it altogether, and avoid drinks containing caffeine. Best bet: stick with water.

5. Gas expands at altitude, often in uncomfortable ways. For pre-flight and in-flight meals, avoid foods that may become problems as you digest them.

6. And in the weeks before you fly, a dental exam would be a good idea. Even a tiny pocket of air in a tooth cavity can expand and become painful at cruising altitude.

7. Sitting for a long stretch in an airline seat can cause the blood vessels in your legs to contract. To stimulate blood circulation, apply pressure to the balls of your feet. If you can reach your feet and massage them, that's ideal. If not, periodically pressing the balls of your feet to the floor is also good.

8. You can stimulate circulation before you get on the plane, too. If you arrive early for your flight - or if it's delayed - get up and walk around. The exercise will improve blood flow and reduce stress.

9. Keep all of the medications you will need with you on the plane, in case your flight is delayed or your luggage gets lost.

10. Consider which way you are flying and plan accordingly. Crossing time zones causes jet lag, and when you fly from west to east, it takes longer for your body to adjust to the time change. If you are flying from California to New York, schedule your arrival so that you have time to rest up before doing something important - like a big holiday dinner with your family.


source: http://www.fairoaks.patch.com/

10 TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAY STRETCH

As we head into Thanksgiving and then in to the rest of the holiday season up to and including New Year's Eve, many of us can already feel our stress levels rise. Here are a few tips to help:

1. Stay Active. One of the best ways to beat stress is to move your body. Anything that keeps you moving and gets your heart rate up is a wonderful way to manage stress.

2. Make plans for the holidays in advance but remember, it is ok to not have any plans too. Waiting til the last minute to make plans can add to your stress. Take time in advance to figure out what you are going to do, whether it is plans to drive, fly, board your pets or stay with family. If your holidays aren't filled with plans to spend time with family or friends, try to relax and enjoy the time for yourself.

3. Be selective about what festivities you join. If you find that you get a number of requests for special dinners and parties, be mindful about which you attend. To go to every party you are invited to may leave you completely exhausted, broke and frazzled.

4. Get your rest. Sleep is so important to health. Try to stick to a schedule of at least 6 hours a night. Even though the temptation might be there to sleep i late on the weekends, try keeping tro a regular schedule.

5. Get smart about holiday foods. Thinking that salad with lots of heavy dressing is better than a moderate sized three-course dinner is just kidding yourself. Having three glasses of wine with dinner can also add calories and result in a headache the next day. Don't head into the holidays with unreasonable expectations about calories but instead be mindful about what you eat. Eat what you want but moderate amounts. You will feel less deprived.

6. Take the pressure off. Going into the holidays with lots of expectations for changed behaviors, heart-to-heart talks with those that barely chat beyond the weather or having a peaceful time in a house that's regularly full of kids is just setting yourself up for stress. Expect nothing and instead be at peace with how things are.

7. Gifts are not about how much you spend. You've probably heard, "It's not the gift but it's the thought behind it." That is a true statement but one that many people forget when they head into the malls to shop. With the added pressure for people out of work, those struggling to pay bills and many with credit card debt that's already through the roof, it would be irresponsible to spend hundreds of dollars. Be honest with your friends and family; let them know that this year will be a little light. Focus instead on finding things that are low cost but meaningful.

8. Let yourself be sad if the feelings arise. The holidays can be a time of pain and sadness for some people. Memories of those that have died, feeling alone if you are not in a relationship or having memories of joyfultimes that have since passed can bring you to tears. Instead of stuffing your emotions down, let them flow. Sure, you may have a good cry, but if you don't, it may turn into an ulcer. It takes courage to feel sad and let your true feelings show.

9. Be grateful. A lot. Every day. Sure it's the theme of Thanksgiving, but it is also just good for your health. Every one of us can be thankful for something every day.

10. Tell the people in you life you love them. Take the time to acknowledge friends and family as being special to you. It is one thing to get them a card or a gift. It is another thing to say it. Take the time to tell them how much they mean to you. You will be amazed how good it makes you feel.


source: http://www.beaconhill.patch.com/

National Pearl Harbor Day, which is observed annually on December 7, is to remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

NATIONAL HANDWASHING AWARENESS WEEK DECEMBER 4-10,2011

Please share www.henrythehand.com with all your family, friends, class mates and coworkers to help them stay healthier one handwash at a time. Share with them how practicing the 4 principles of hand awareness will help them to remain healthy, in spite of the flu or bird flu scares. It is the best way to prevent epidemics or pandemics! Following the 4 principles of hand awareness you will be in virtual isolation regardless of the people around you. Direct contamination of your mucus membranes is how infectious disease enters your body. It is not wafting through the ventilation system in the building. Let's work together to minimize the fear factor of infectious disease pandemics or seasonal. Only you are responsible for giving yourself the flu or flu-like illness!

PULMONARY EMBOLISM RISK REDUCED BY STAYING ACTIVE

It's time to get off the couch and start moving around. In addition to burning calories and contributing to weight loss, staying active may also help you to avoid a deadly blood clot disorder.

Each year, 600,000 Americans suffer from a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolisms occur when a blood clot from the legs travels up the blood stream to the heart and causes a blockage near the lungs. Fortunately, a long-term study found that simply moving around halved people's chances of experiencing this dangerous condition. The most active people were twice less likely to develop this clot than the least active study subjects.

So get moving to keep that blood flowing and help your body avoid the tragedy of a pulmonary embolism. If you find yourself sitting for a long period, stand up, walk around, and maybe do a few jumping jacks. Don't worry - it's not necessary to engage in a full workout to lower your risk. In fact, the study found that consistent, light activity was more effective than occasional spurts of intense exercise.

source:www.fyiliving.com